By Eyasu Zekarias
The Addis Ababa Chamber of Sectoral Associations is positioning itself to lead and coordinate private sector engagement at the upcoming 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32) through its newly established Green Growth Centre. The initiative, set to be officially launched on September 8, 2026, marks a strategic shift aimed at enabling Ethiopian businesses to move beyond passive participation and become active partners in shaping the country’s climate and economic future.
According to information obtained by Capital from Chamber sources, the Ethiopian Sectoral Associations Chamber’s Green Growth Centre has been tasked with spearheading the broad private sector mobilisation effort. The centre, which has been operating for a year in partnership with the German development agency GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), will serve as the coordinating hub for business involvement in COP32.
“Preparations for COP32 are already underway by the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Now, work has been finalised to enable the private sector to take a leading role through the Addis Ababa Chamber’s Green Growth Centre,” Chamber sources said.
A strategic document titled “Establishing the COP32 Private Sector Coalition: A Strategic Platform for Business Leaders, Climate Action, and Green Growth” has been prepared to guide the process. It outlines the rationale, objectives, governance structure and key engagement sectors of the planned coalition.
The document emphasises that climate change is fundamentally transforming the operating environment for businesses, investors and communities. The transition toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy presents both significant risks and unprecedented opportunities for the private sector.
Historically, private sector participation in global climate processes has been fragmented, with companies, chambers and associations engaging in activities without a unified platform for coordination, knowledge sharing and joint action. The COP32 Private Sector Coalition aims to bridge this gap by creating a structured platform where the Ethiopian private sector can coordinate its contributions, showcase climate solutions and mobilise investment.
The coalition’s objectives are wide-ranging, designed to ensure that the private sector remains a central pillar of Ethiopia’s climate journey before, during and after the summit. Key goals include coordinating active participation in COP32 preparations, execution and legacy; establishing a unified business agenda that identifies priority climate, investment and policy issues; and facilitating investment and finance by identifying commercially viable green and climate-resilient opportunities.
Membership will be inclusive, encompassing large domestic and foreign direct investment (FDI) companies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), sectoral associations, financial institutions, banks and insurance companies.
The coalition plans to establish a green investment and climate project pipeline to identify and package investment-ready projects across key sectors such as renewable energy, green manufacturing, climate-smart agriculture, e-mobility and circular economy solutions.
A high-level Ethiopian Business and Climate Investment Forum will be organised to translate climate ambitions into tangible investment and partnership opportunities. An innovation and exhibition platform will also be established, enabling Ethiopian companies to showcase domestic climate technologies, green products and renewable energy solutions.
According to the documents, the implementation roadmap begins with coalition formation from September to October 2026. This will be followed by private sector consultations and agenda development between November 2026 and 2027. Investment and partnership mobilisation will intensify in 2027, concluding with a post-summit legacy phase to ensure that COP32 participation and commitments made during the conference translate into lasting action.
At the recent Climate Finance Summit held in Addis Ababa, which attracted more than 150 participants from 27 countries, Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide emphasised that hosting COP32 is not merely a diplomatic milestone, but an opportunity to showcase African leadership in climate solutions, strengthen Africa’s voice and shape the future global financial architecture.
The Minister noted that Ethiopia’s priorities include “robust financing for developmental adjustments, enhanced investment in recovery, accelerated energy access, nature-based solutions, and a climate finance architecture that addresses the needs of developing nations.”
The Chamber said the new coalition is receiving strong support from development partners. “We are bringing partners together. These development partners are coming to us themselves, and many different donors are pleased.”
The summit is considered a critical moment for Africa, which contributes minimally to global emissions yet disproportionately bears the brunt of climate change. The 7th African Climate Dialogue in Addis Ababa concluded with a strong call for the continent to strengthen its negotiating capacity and position COP32 as a decisive moment for implementation, accountability and resilience.
Detailed analysis from the Columbia Climate School indicates that for COP32 to deliver genuine impact, Ethiopia must move beyond traditional pledge-based formats and reimagine the summit as a platform to showcase tangible, Africa-built solutions designed for global adoption and scaling.
Ethiopia officially assumed responsibility for hosting COP32 during the COP30 summit held in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has since established a national coordinating committee to lead the preparatory process, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos has been appointed COP32 President-Designate. The government continues to actively engage international partners, drawing lessons from historic Paris Agreement negotiations through discussions with COP21 President Laurent Fabius.
By building a bridge between climate ambition and business action, Ethiopian businesses are expected to play a vanguard role in ensuring COP32 serves as a catalyst for green, climate-resilient and inclusive economic growth for the country’s next generation.
